Start podcasting or take it to the next level with our step-by-step guide!

Take Control of
Podcasting on the Mac

Third Edition
Andy Affleck

Start podcasting or take your podcast to the next level with start-to-finish guidance from Andy Affleck. You’ll learn tricks of the trade as you assemble your hardware and software, make recordings, edit and mix the audio, and encode and publish your shows.

This book has been discontinued. It has been replaced with:

Take Control of Podcasting

Start podcasting or take your podcast to the next level with start-to-finish guidance from Andy Affleck. You’ll learn tricks of the trade as you assemble your hardware and software, make recordings, and add polish by editing and mixing. Once your audio is in the can, you’ll find real-world advice and steps for encoding and publishing your episodes.

The book includes several dozen sound samples from various mics and mixers with and without filters, sleeves, and whatnot, so that you can hear the differences before you buy any special gear.

"Our school podcast is sounding much more professional now that we’re using software recommended in the book and following Andy’s tips."
   —Mark Warner, Teacher

Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac provides the help anyone interested in podcasting on the Mac needs:

  • What do other podcasters do? Find out about the gear and techniques used by podcasters Chuck Joiner (MacVoices), Louis Trapani (Doctor Who: Podshock), Kelly Guimont (Ask TUAW), and Kirk McElhearn (The Committed).
  • Choose the right mic. Pick out audio gear while considering your budget and studio (or mobile!) needs. Plus, you’ll learn if you should buy additional audio hardware, like a breakout box or mixer, and find an explanation (with photos) of the main cable types that you’ll come across.
  • Pick audio software. Apps discussed at length include GarageBand for Mac and iOS, Audacity, Audio Hijack, Voice Record Pro, and Ecamm Call Recorder. Apps that are discussed briefly include Amadeus Pro, Fission, Sound Studio, Nectar Elements, SoundSoap, and The Levelator, and VocaLive Free.
  • Learn key recording tips. Find advice about how to prepare for and conduct a successful interview, plus get a few essential tips for using a mic well.
  • Record in the studio or the field. Get step-by-step recording directions for GarageBand for Mac and iOS, as well as Audacity, Voice Record Pro, and Audio Hijack.
  • Record online interviews. Follow the book’s steps for recording an interview online through services such as Skype and FaceTime.
  • Edit and mix your audio. Find directions for removing unwanted noises and pauses, adding professional polish, and generally editing and mixing a recording in GarageBand for Mac or Audacity.
  • Encode your podcast files. Before you send your podcast episode out on the Internet, you’ll want to save it in the right format, and add tags.
  • Get syndicated with RSS. Understand what should be in a podcast’s RSS feed — and how FeedBurner can help.
  • Be a publisher! Get ideas for blog services that can host your podcast and related blog posts, and find directions for publishing your podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store.
Andy Affleck photo

About Andy Affleck

Andy J. Williams Affleck built Dartmouth College’s first website in 1993, created the original website for the sitcom Friends, and started a virtual community that’s still around over 25 years later. When he’s not producing podcasts, he’s a Technical Account Manager for Automattic by day and an actor/director and executive director of Rhode Island’s Swamp Meadow Community Theatre by night.

What’s New in Version 3.1

This new version was largely inspired by changes in Audio Hijack 3, and you can read all about them in Record with Audio Hijack 3 and Record Calls with Audio Hijack 3. Other interesting changes are these:

  • Ecamm’s Call Recorder now has a FaceTime version along with the Skype version. I have updated Record Calls with Call Recorder accordingly.

  • I added several Sound Samples from additional mics and mixers.

  • I added a photo and description of a dedicated digital recorder in Consider a Dedicated Digital Recorder.

  • I updated the details about hosting services in Host Your Podcast.

  • I rewrote the directions for the iTunes submission process to reflect Apple’s new iTunes Connect Web site. See Add Your Podcast to the iTunes Store.

What Was New in Version 3.0

Six years after the publication of the second edition, I had some extra time and decided that it’d be worthwhile to bring this book into the current era. Here are the highlights of what I changed:

  • Added profiles of experienced podcasters so you can get an idea what others are doing (and find cool shows to follow).

  • Added descriptions of my personal studio and mobile podcasting setups in Andy’s Home Studio Gear and Andy’s Mobile Podcasting Gear to provide an idea of what works in the real world.

  • Updated throughout for GarageBand 10 for Mac.

  • Removed coverage of programs that are no longer available or recommended, including WireTap Studio and Übercaster.

  • Added coverage of Audacity in Mac Applications and Tools, Record with Audacity, and Edit with Audacity.

  • Added information about recording Skype conversations with Ecamm’s Call Recorder in Mac Applications and Tools and Record Online Interviews.

  • Added a step-by-step discussion of how to Record with GarageBand for iOS and Record with Voice Record Pro for iOS.

  • Added information about how to set up an RSS/Atom feed for your podcast in Understand Syndication Formats (including Setting up a FeedBurner Feed) as well as how to Create a Logo for the Podcasts section of the iTunes Store.

  • Updated tips on podcast hosting in Host Your Podcast and how to find an audience in Publish and Promote Your Podcast.

Which versions of GarageBand does this ebook cover?

This ebook covers GarageBand 10 for Mac and GarageBand 2 for iOS. If you want to read about podcasting in GarageBand 6, 5, 4, or 3 (that's GarageBand '11, '09, '08, or '06, respectively), once you've purchased the ebook, click the Ebook Extras link on the cover (or look in the Read Me First, if you have the EPUB or Mobipocket version) to access the ebook's special blog. From there, you can download an older version of the ebook, with instructions for an older version of GarageBand.

  • Read Me First
  • Introduction
  • Podcasting Quick Start
  • Plan Your Podcast
  • Set Up Your Studio
  • Record Your Podcast
  • Edit Your Podcast
  • Encode and Tag Your Show
  • Host Your Podcast
  • Publish and Promote Your Podcast
  • About This Book
  • Andy Affleck Podcasts about Podcasts with Chuck Joiner of MacVoices

    Posted by Tonya Engst on June 25, 2014

    The third edition of “Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac” caught podcasting pro Chuck Joiner’s attention, leading to a 45-minute podcast full of podcasting pointers, as Chuck and author Andy Affleck chat about podcasting. Watch or listen to the discussion at MacVoices.

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